Conversation with a Formerly Secret Ku Klux Klansman

The sausage making process of journalism and interviewing people who don’t want to talk to you….

By Nate Thayer

February 9, 2018

I will be publishing a story on a Ku Klux Klan nationwide campaign distributing racist and anti-Semitic hate literature. In recent weeks, thousands of leaflets have been thrown onto front lawns of residents of North Carolina, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, and Florida, among other places, by the North Carolina based Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, causing significant community angst, public hearings, civic protests, and criminal investigations by local law enforcement and the FBI.

While researching this story, I have spoken to dozens of Klan members, law enforcement, community activists, and religious leaders.

I have also obtained access to significant internal records and communications of the Ku Klux Klan as they outline and discuss this campaign recruiting effort.

Below is the unexpurgated conversation with one member of the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan who is the target of a federal and local law enforcement investigation for allegedly committing “Hate Crimes”:

I sent an email on February 7 to Casey Umland, a 23-year old racist anti-Semite member of the Ku Klux Klan from Florida.

My name is Nate Thayer and I am an investigative reporter who follows the Loyal White Knights of the KKK and the White Nationalist movement. I understand the Port St Lucie police visited you about the Klan leaflets you dropped last week. I am doing a story and would like to talk to you–either off or on the record–about your involvement with the LWK and the leaflet drop.

Please give me a shout back at this email or 443-225-1498.

I can promise you all confidentiality is assured. But regardless I will be doing a story tonight that involves your leaflet drop. I encourage you to contact me.

Best,

Nate Thayer

thayernate0007@gmail.com

443-225-1498

nate-thayer.com

Mr Umland responded by email at 2:51 AM:“How did you get my Email?”

I responded this morning at 6:51 AM:

Hi Casey: What is a good time to call you today. I am at 443 225 1498.

Best,

Nate Thayer

An anti-Semitic flier Casey Umland, of Port St Lucie, Florida, taped to the front door of the Beth Israel synagogue

Mr. Umland then called me at 6:57 AM:

“I didn’t put up no leaflets. You need to stop snooping around and mind your own business. You do know there is an open criminal investigation against me? I am not talking to you media rats. Burn in Hell!” Mr. Umland then hung up.

Another flier posted by Casey Umland of Port St Lucie, Florida in recent day

I responded by email at 7:50 AM:

Hi Casey:

I will be publishing a story today on the issue of leafleting. That story will be naming you regarding the Port St Lucie flier drops near your house and at the PSL synagogue.

The story is frankly about how it is mainly protected free speech. I have more than enough corroboration of you carrying out the flier drops to publish now (including you taking credit, in writing, for the flier drops yourself) whether we speak further or not, but of course I want to hear anything and everything you care to say.

We can talk either on or off the record. I would encourage you to give me a call back at 443 225 1498.

Let’s start over. Lying to a journalist that you “had nothing to do with the leaflets” is never a good thing, especially when your fingerprints were found on the said leaflets posted four doors away from your house and at the local synagogue. And telling a journalist to “Burn in Hell” is never a good way to start a conversation.

Let’s start over from the beginning. I am interested in why you have the political views you do. You should, I would argue, defend them, not deny them. Give me a shout back at 443 225 1498.

Best,

Nate Thayer

(I attached 6 documents, including screengrabs from his own conversations to other KKK members where he takes credit for the leaflet drops)

At 7:57 AM, Mr. Umland replies:

NEVER ONCE did I admit to putting that flyer on that synagogue. I never took responsibility for that, nor have I been charged or convicted of it. So that is SLANDER. You like getting sued? I hope not.

At 8:21 AM, I replied by attaching a screen grab of Casey taking credit for the leaflet drop he posted on an internal Klan website and the following:

Hi Casey:

Let’s start over here. You have no reason to be hostile towards me. I am doing a story on how leafleting one’s political views is protected free speech. It is very unlikely you will be charged with anything. But please cut out the bullshit “you like getting sued” threats. I have been doing this for 30 + years. I have pissed off people with far bigger armies than you. Plus, like you, I am protected by the first amendment to the constitution. In addition, it is not slander (which is verbal speech), but rather libel. But I am not here to give you legal advice. But both slander and libel requires that one publish incorrect information with “malicious intent”. Given that you wrote (see attachment) “I recently made the news in my town for fuckin with Jews LOL” and then posted a link to a news article on the leafletting, among numerous other comments authored by you, I am on very solid journalistic and ethical grounds. Not to mention your fingerprints were found on the posters, including those posted four houses away from your home.

Please give me a call and we can discuss why you have the political views you do. It takes a man to defend his political positions–not deny them.

I am, again, at 443 225 1498.

Best,

Nate Thayer

The internal private profile of Loyal White Knights of the KKK member Casey Umland of Port St Lucie, Florida

Loyal White Knights of the KKK confidential profile of Florida member Casey Umland

At 8:35 AM Casey Umland replied:

“How the hell did you get that picture? That’s from a private message!

What I’m being investigated for was a hate crime. I can get in serious trouble even get jail time for that. If I was already convicted and it was said and done, I would do your little interview. Even though I don’t like race traitor media rats. I’d still do it for the publicity. No such thing as bad publicity. I’ll have to ask my superior officer first though.

Still wanna know how you acquired that screen shot first.

At 9:34 AM I replied:

Casey: I got that screen grab (one of many) because I am a very good journalist and I take facts very seriously. I also, of course, protect my sources like a nun protects her virginity, so I won’t say how I obtained that (and many other) documents which show you, without a scintilla of doubt, created, distributed, and placed those leaflets near the intersection of SE Floresta Drive and SE Chaloupe Avenue, near the intersection of SE Floresta Drive and SE Evergreen Terrace, and at the synagogue (not to mention they had your fingerprints on them). I have no horse in this or any other race nor do I have a political bias. I listen for a living. If you want to talk (on or off the record), please give me a call before noon today, when I will be publishing.

Why are you so hostile towards me? I may well be doing an article that defends your right to distribute your political beliefs. Take a deep breath. Defend your beliefs. Explain why you believe what you do. I promise you I will listen and publish that without bias or agenda.

Again, 443 225 1498.

Best,

Nate

Klan fliers created by Casey Umland for distribution in Port St Lucie, Florida

At 10:20 AM, Mr. Umland responded:

So now I can tell people in LWK that there are leaks in their group and warn them. Thank you for showing me the truth. I don’t care if you put my name out there, people already hate me, Christ said you will be hated. My concern is that people will try and hurt my family members.

I do apologize if my words were harsh. I was hostile towards you because I don’t know you, it’s nothing too personal, I just don’t trust media people because Jews control the media. I’ve seen how they twist people’s words. Thing is, I’m not even in the Klan. I’m an applicant. Meaning I don’t have permission to do interviews yet.

My beliefs aren’t special; I believe what every other Klansman believes. I’m a nationalist Christian who believes Whites are the supreme race and God’s chosen people. Jews are Satan’s children; the Edomites, our evil twin brother.. and blacks are just lower humans who should be separate from us…and America belongs to the white race only.

That’s all you really need to know about what I believe. Put that in your publication, and tell them I said it. It’s really that simple, I’m nobody special, just a white man who wants his people to have a future. I don’t hate you for what you do, you’re my brother at the end of the day (unless you’re a Jew of mongrel (I’m assuming you’re white). I just hope you wake up and repent before almighty Yahweh so you too can be saved.

Casey.

I responded to Casey at 10:33 AM:

Hi Casey:

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

I don’t hate you or anyone and no apologies necessary, although I thank you for forwarding them.

I don’t twist words. I let people say their piece, which I wish you would so you can put your best (and full) foot forward. This is your opportunity.

You may be a “Klan applicant”, but you are a free man who does not need permission from anyone to speak freely.

And thanks for the bible lesson. I am guessing you believe in Christian Identity interpretation of the Good Book that all non-whites and Jews are “mud people” who are “spawns of Satan” and cannot get past St. Peter and enter the pearly gates of Heaven. You are allowed to believe anything you want. That is what Makes America Great. I don’t happen to be a Jew or a Mongrel, but sometimes I wish I was. My dog, my pal, Lamont, however is a mongrel, and I love him very much, so I take great exception at insulting mongrels. I am not sure what I need to repent for (although my parents probably have a few suggestions).

Why do you not like blacks and Jews? Did something happen to you? Were you victimized while in school?

Again, you should call me at 443-225-1498.

I am interested in you and your opinions.

Best,

Nate (a white guy who is not a Jew or mongrel but has no problem with them, especially my dog, Lamont, who is a mongrel and I suspect is a Jew, too, because of his very prominent schnozzola. I am fine with that)

A screen grab from Loyal White Knight of the KKK member Casey Umland’s Facebook page

At 11:44 AM Casey responded:

I said all I’m gonna say to you. Now leave me the hell alone ya weirdo.

At 1:00 PM I responded:

Hi Casey:

I am sorry you have, for the time being, decided not to speak with me. In the process of doing due diligence to find out how you came to your political beliefs, I will be contacting others in your family and among your friends to try and understand what led you to distributing the leaflets you did. I will call your father, Thomas John Umland shortly to get his take on what has contributed to your situation now under investigation for hate crimes. If you have reasonable reasons why I should not, I remain all ears and open to listening to you.

What I would like to know is:

1/ How you came to your political beliefs?

2/ Why you believe blacks, immigrants, Jews, and others are inferior to yourself?

3/ Whether you have had any real life interaction with White Nationalists?

6/ Whether you had specific experiences in life that led you to not like blacks, Jews, immigrants etc etc?

7/ What do you do for a living?

8/ What are your life goals?

9/ Whether you believe you will be arrested for your leafletting campaign?

10/ What the cops actually asked you, said to you, and how you responded?

11/ Whether you feel you are being treated fairly or discriminated against for your political beliefs

To be clear: I have no problem and defend your right to say and believe whatever you do or want to. I would have hoped you would have had the integrity to defend those beliefs.And I still do.

I remain available for a civil conversation. A bit of advice: You might want to hold back on calling journalists “weirdos’ and “Jews” and other derogations as they do not address the issues at hand nor contribute to a serious conversation on these important issues.

Did you see that (North Carolina-based Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Imperial Wizard–or national head–Christopher) Barker has publicly denied you had any connection to LWK?

And further expounded at 8:53 PM:

That is not very polite or Christian, Casey. You are smarter than that. Why won’t you defend and explain your beliefs? I think you should man up and have a conversation. The LWK is abandoning you, it seems. (North Carolina Grand Dragon and top LWK lieutenant) Roger has already dressed you down and the IW (Imperial Wizard) has now said he has never heard of you and there are no LWK members in PSL (Port St Lucie). See attachment below, which will be published tonight (taking out your contacts, of course)

I remain available for a civil conversation, but I do not require it to publish as I have your own words from the LWK site and earlier conversations, interviews with various law enforcement, neighbors, congregants from the religious house of worship you leafleted, and from having spoken to two people who attended high school with you. But of course I would like to hear anything else you would like to say.

Best,

Nate

(I attached four screen grabs of his LWK of the KKK internal members only profile as evidence)

A Tweet from the Port St Lucie police department on the leaflets distributed by Casey Umland

At 01:34 AM, Mr. Umland responded:

Instead if chasing LWK around, you should go check on your wife. She’s probably getting turned out by a racist redneck while you’re stalking men in white hoods. It’s probably bigger than the nigger cock she’s used to, LMAO

At 6:50 AM, Saturday February 10, I replied to Mr. Umland:

Casey:

That is very rude and un-Christian of you. I am not “chasing” LWK around. I am writing a story about the people behind a nationwide campaign to spread anonymous fear in communities from Florida to Virginia to Minnesota to Pennsylvania to Texas to North Carolina and elsewhere. As it turns out, you, alone, unemployed, an only child, still living with your Dad at age 23 (I am truly sorry that your Mom died a few years ago. I know personally how difficult that is for a child at your age and I feel for you), who identifies yourself as, according to your own words on your KIK account profile as “having no friends”, are the single, lone fellow spreading racist and anti-Semitic hateful messages in your Florida community.

You did so, according to your own words, to upset Jewish and black members of your community while thinking you were safe hiding behind your anonymity. But it turns out you aren’t anonymous and you committed a hate crime, as defined by federal and Florida law.

I am sorry you are so angry. I wish you would have the moral integrity to defend your beliefs (or admit you were wrong or at least explain why you are full of hate) instead of lying that you are not the person you are. That isn’t very manly.

I am a serious journalist and am well respected in my profession and make great efforts to get my facts right. I also go to great lengths to not dox people or put them in a position of harm, as I have done with you.

But you are all over social media, your address and your phone number and social media accounts are a matter of public record, including on everything from FB to My Space to KIK to Snapchat to anonymous 4chan sexual fetish sites.

For instance “Cams & Meetups – Archive Of Sins “I’m male, 21 yo, live in 772/Port Saint Lucie. SnapChat: KCsNukeSmoke. KIK:DrunkenNinjaMaster7. Don’t know anybody in the area, not new to the area, just have no friends” is one of your profiles on a “Fetish oriented KIK group. Good ratio of M/F. Please follow the rules, all fetishes are welcome” where you describe yourself as “into women, dirty talk, porn, bdsm.”

On your LWK profile you describe yourself as: “I love studying scripture, trucks, reading about history, & guns. Growing up in the South I went to majority nigger & wetback schools, and I have experienced the violence first hand by mud race’s gang lifestyles. Even though I have seen how much they HATE me, I still don’t HATE them.”

I am most interested in what your “experiences of violence first hand by mud race’s gang lifestyle” and how “you have seen how much they HATE me.”

It sounds to me that you have suffered more than your fair share and been victimized and are reacting to terrible life experiences. Am I right? I’d like to know what they are and I remain at this email and 443 225 1498 if you have anything to say.

Another question I had is whether you have a lawyer. My understanding is that you really should have one to give you guidance over the next few days.

I do wish you well and God Bless you. I am praying for you.

Best,

Nate

From me February 11 10:03 AM:Hi Casey:

I did have one other question for you I don’t think I asked: Have you ever met a Jew and what happened to you that made you believe they are all, as you wrote. “spawns of Satan”? Did you have a bad experience with someone who is Jewish? Would you be willing to meet the Rabbi of the synagogue you taped the poster at to have a discussion?

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About Nate Thayer

Nate Thayer is best known for having been the only person to interview Cambodian dictator Pol Pot 18 years after he fled to the jungles after presiding over the killing of nearly 2 million of his countrymen, but his Award-winning 25 year career as an investigative journalist has recognized him as one of the most acclaimed foreign correspondents of his generation.

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